Fort Wainwright Central Heat and Power Plant

The
Fort Wainwright Central Heat and Power Plant (CHPP) is the largest
coal-fired power plant owned by the U.S. military. It was first
constructed in the 1940's, and has been modified extensively over time.
This co-generation plant uses around 230,000 tons of coal per year and
can produces up to 20 Mw of electricity as well as steam for heating.

In 1999 this plant was fined over $16 million by the EPA
for violation of the Clean Air Act, which at the time was the largest
fine levied by the EPA against a Department of Defense installation.
Around this same period, Fort Wainwright was
designated as Superfund Site
for contamination of soil and groundwater with coal, petroleum and
pesticide wastes. However, the site is currently in compliance with EPA
regulations. In 2007, an air-cooled condenser was added to the plant to address
the problem of generating ice fog
near the cooling pond
in the winter that affected visibility on the Richardson Highway. This
plant uses a baghouse to capture fly ash from the stack. Significant changes to the plant are underway as a result of a 2010 decision to privitize the plant. The facilities are now operated by Doyon Utilities.

Clear Air Force Station

The
co-generation plant at Clear Air Force Station began operations in 1961
and currently uses around 58,000 tons of coal per year. This plant
produces up to 22.5 Mw of electricity as well as steam for heating.
This plant uses a baghouse to capture fly ash from the stack. In September 2012 the base announced an interested in mothballing this plant and connecting to the grid managed by GVEA. The Air Force has also tried to sell the plant but as of the end of 2012 had not found a buyer.

Chena powerplant - photo Russ Maddox

Aurora Energy LLC (Chena Plant)

Aurora Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Usibelli Coal Mine Inc.,
took over operations of the Chena Power Plant and District Heat System in
Fairbanks in 1998. This plant provides steam and hot water for
approximately 165 consumers in Fairbanks, as well as generating up to
25 Mw of electricity which it sells to the Golden Valley Electric Association.
This plant uses approximately 210,000 tons of coal per year and produces ~350,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. In 2006, this facility installed a full baghouse which captures the fly ash. In 2011 a study(4.2 MB) sampled coal ash from this facility that was being used as fill and found high levels of toxic compounds including arsenic, mercury, and vanadium. The EPA launched a preliminary investigation in 2012 and based on that work plans to return for a full hazard assessment of the facility later in the year which could include listing on the National Priorities List (a.k.a. Superfund). In early 2013 an injury and a worker complaint raised questions about safety practices at Aurora.

UAF powerplant - photo Russ Maddox

The University of Alaska, Fairbanks

The University of Alaska, Fairbanks operates a 23 Mw capacity co-generation plant
constructed in 1964. This plant uses approximately 60,000 tons of coal
per year to supply all the electricity, hot water, and heat to the
University. UAF has requested $22 million for FY2014 to construct a new coal-fired plant that could also use up to 15% waste and/or biomass though total costs would be much higher. This was followed in early 2014 by a request for the full $195 million that such a plant would require. In late 2014, a design company was selected and the proposed completion date would be in 2018.